ABOUT CHRISTINE
Therapist
My great passion and expertise is understanding people. I use this passion to support others and come along side of them in creating greater emotional and relational health.
Christine has brought her experience of working as a therapist to effectively help clients cope with mental health challenges which sometimes involve processing things that have happened in the past in order to move forward or identifying goals and working to better oneself. Her strength-based, holistic approach includes so many aspects of a person’s life including cultural factors, marriage/relationship, family dynamics, social factors, financial pressures, job satisfaction and overall wellness. She used a variety of theoretical approaches to therapy depending on the client.
Clients often describe feeling very comfortable and safe to talk about things in session that are hard to talk about. Many report comfort in sharing things they have never discussed previously. Clients have said it feels good to “be real” in therapy. There is a time to laugh and cry in therapy with Christine…both are beneficial.
Christine has worked in mental health since 1998 providing care in various settings. While living in Chicago she worked at Cook County Hospital, a Therapeutic Day School and Jewish Family and Community Services providing therapy. After her return to Southern California she worked at Aspira Foster & Family Services and later with Orange County Adult Mental Health working with a high crisis population. She leveraged her clinical background in an unplanned turn to start and grow an ecommerce business developing a great team for over a decade which she eventually sold. She earned her Master in Social Work from Loyola University in Chicago and completed her undergraduate degree at Calvin University in Michigan. She is a life-long learner and has completed a certification in Coaching through Erickson International, EMDR training and always enjoys conferences and her never ending book list.
A Letter from Christine
I want to welcome you to my practice. I truly love to work with people both individuals and couples. I primarily work with adults but do see a very limited number of teenagers. I love to walk beside people through their struggles and celebrate growth and success with my clients. I feel therapy is a very collaborative process and it is my job to walk with you. It is a time where I have seen people heal from past trauma and pain, set new visions for who they want to become and become better people for themselves and for those around them.
I grew up in southern California. I am someone who likes a challenge and often seeks things outside of my comfort zone. I moved to Michigan where I attended Calvin University for undergraduate school and then moved to Chicago for an internship at Cook County Hospital and stayed there for several years while attending graduate school downtown at Loyola University.
I have been married since 2000 and truly understand both the beauty and challenges of marriage. It is both! I love working with couples for counseling and it is certainly an integral part of individual therapy as well. I am also a mother of 3 children. My sons are in college and my daughter is in high school. I have loved all of the various stages of raising them.
I am also a very strong advocate of health, wellness and mindfulness. I not only bring to my work with clients, but something I practice in my daily life. I am also very active in my christian church and have a deep faith and community there. Faith and religious beliefs is something I welcome bringing into the therapeutic setting but I do not push my beliefs on any of my clients and respect those who have other beliefs or none at all. Slowing down in life is important and being present with people is also very important. I tend to draw clients who are high achievers and these people in particular need to have outlets to balance stress. Some of my personal outlets include endurance sports and I am an avid endurance cyclist. I also enjoy swimming, hiking, paddleboarding, gardening and travel.
If it seems like working with me will be a good fit, I would love to have an introductory call with you. Finding a therapist whom you feel comfortable with is critical for the success of your therapeutic work. Regardless of if we begin to work together, I am glad you are considering therapy and getting support for yourself.
Kind Regards,
Christine
BSW, Calvin College
MSW, Loyola University
LCSW #21942, State of California
Licensed Psychotherapist
Certified Professional Coach
Business Founder, Executive
Community Leader
